Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 402

Looking up at the red moon, Han Li felt a strange dizziness and was startled. He understood why the woman had feared Nangong Wan’s Reincarnation Divine Light.

After a while, the red moon faded, and Nangong Wan’s face regained its color.

The pale woman, still wrapped in the Ziyun Dou, was unconscious, a strange smile playing on her lips.

“What happened?” Han Li asked, surprised.

“A cultivator trapped in the Reincarnation Divine Light can’t escape, even with their Nascent Soul [a high level of cultivation]. They only lose consciousness temporarily due to the powerful soul-confusing effect. This way, we don’t have to kill her,” Nangong Wan explained.

“The Nascent Soul of a Nascent Soul cultivator can’t escape? No wonder your Senior Sister was so wary. But if you didn’t need to keep her alive, you could have just killed her.”

“Kill Senior Sister, the Great Elder of the Eumwol Sect? That’s not an option! If I disappear, the Eumwol Sect’s power will already be greatly weakened. If she dies too, the sect’s future is finished. A long time ago, the Great Elder of the Eumwol Sect showed me kindness. Even if I can’t sacrifice myself to expand the sect’s power, I can’t lead it to ruin.”

“But your Senior Sister didn’t show you any consideration and placed a restriction on you, confining you.”

“It doesn’t matter. By not taking her life, I’ll consider it repaying the kindness I received from the sect. That way, I won’t feel uneasy even after I leave! Still, it was really dangerous earlier. I didn’t know she possessed such a heaven-defying demonic energy like the Blood Demon Sword. If I had known beforehand, I would never have…” Nangong Wan’s eyes flickered. She felt sorry for Han Li. He noticed her expression but laughed it off as if it were nothing.

“Let’s take the restriction jade token and leave the mountain quickly.”

Nangong Wan nodded in agreement.

Silver Moon, who had been waiting beside them, flicked her hand, releasing the Ziyun Dou. The pale woman rolled out.

Nangong Wan approached her and placed several restrictions on her. Then, she released the cyan-colored storage pouch and turned it upside down. A large number of items spilled out, and Han Li approached with curiosity.

The Restriction Art jade token was easy to find, and Nangong Wan picked it up, delighted.

Then, Han Li waved his hand at something he saw. A small, dull black ring flew over.

“Why that? It looks like an ordinary magic tool,” Nangong Wan asked.

Han Li smiled and rummaged through the storage pouch, taking out a jade box. Inside, glowing blue, was the same ring that was found in her Senior Sister’s storage pouch.

“Huh?” Nangong Wan was puzzled. Han Li placed the two rings together and compared them. They were exactly the same. After thinking for a moment, he unhesitatingly took the black rings and stored them in the original jade box.

Nangong Wan smiled and, for some reason, left the pile of items and walked towards the pale woman.

She bent down and stroked the woman’s forehead with her red-tinged hand. Han Li seemed to know her intention and watched.

Indeed, the red light faded, and Nangong Wan held a small, blood-colored sword in her hand. It was the Blood Demon Sword.

“This demonic energy is too powerful and poses a threat to us, so take it with you. I don’t need it anyway, so it would be good for you to have it. It seems to be incompatible with the golden energy you have, so we should prepare for any eventuality!” Nangong Wan shook her head as she looked at the sword and handed it to Han Li.

Han Li didn’t know the detailed history of the Blood Demon Sword, but since it reversed demonic energy, he couldn’t let Nangong Wan use it.

He took the Blood Demon Sword, and they decided to leave the other items behind out of consideration for the pale woman’s dignity.

After all, magic treasures like the Reflecting Treasure Mirror had been used by her Senior Sister for a long time, so many people in the cultivation world would recognize them.

At this moment, Nangong Wan placed the restriction jade token between her hands and applied a little force. A red light flashed, a jet-black aura rose, and the jade token disappeared.

“The Restriction Art is resolved too. Before we go, I’ll leave a few words for Senior Sister,” Nangong Wan said, relieved.

Han Li naturally didn’t object. She immediately took out a white jade slip from her bosom and placed it on her forehead. The jade slip flashed, and Nangong Wan infused her consciousness into it, recording the words she would leave for her Senior Sister.

After a while, Nangong Wan placed the jade slip in the storage pouch with the scattered items and hung it on the woman’s waist.

“Let’s go. Senior Sister has been trapped in the Reincarnation Divine Light for a long time, so she won’t wake up for a day.” She looked at Han Li and gave a shy smile.

Han Li’s heart pounded at Nangong Wan’s soft gaze. He grabbed her waist and flew up, becoming a streak of light and leaving the main hall.

* * *

“What do you mean by telling me to go to the Falling Cloud Sect alone?” In an unknown mountain on the border of Bukryang, Nangong Wan leaned against a tree, her brow furrowed.

“My concubine and Senior Liu of the Falling Cloud Sect are still in Jeoncheonseong. It’s likely due to the invasion of the mages. I have a connection with both of them, so I have to take them back. I can’t ignore them.”

Han Li stood next to Nangong Wan, enjoying her deep fragrance.

“Then you can come with me. Why do we have to go separately?”

“Wan, you are a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Eumwol Sect, so many cultivators in the National Salvation Alliance will recognize you. Although I taught you the Transformation Art, it won’t work on those whose cultivation is deeper than yours. So, it’s better for you to stay in the Falling Cloud Sect for now,” Han Li explained with a smile. Nangong Wan frowned, expressing her concern.

“But you’re already on bad terms with the Eumwol Sect and the Hwaeui Sect. I’m worried about sending you to Jeoncheonseong alone.”

“Don’t worry! As you can see from my skills, there may be many who surpass me in cultivation in Cheonnam, but there are only a few who can subdue or kill me. Besides, I’m an elder of the Falling Cloud Sect, and with the invasion of the Moran tribe imminent, what can the National Salvation Alliance do? Also, your Senior Sister will probably deal with the current situation as you left in the jade slip. Otherwise, she won’t have anything to say to Wimu-ae. There’s really nothing to worry about.”

“Then I won’t stop you anymore. But you have to be careful. I’m still worried, so take this with you.” Seeing Han Li’s firm resolve, Nangong Wan didn’t try to persuade him further. Instead, she took out something like a handkerchief from her storage pouch and handed it to him.

“What is this?” Han Li sensed a strange spiritual energy in the handkerchief.

“It’s an ancient treasure I obtained while traveling outside the sect, and it’s very convenient to use. It automatically flies to protect your body just by thinking about it. There might be dangerous situations, so keep it with you. That way, I’ll feel at ease too.” Nangong Wan was already taking care of him like a wife.

Han Li quietly gazed into her clear eyes, and Nangong Wan’s cheeks flushed. She smiled calmly and then, remembering something, took out a red jade pendant from her sleeve.

“This is the Fire Aversion Pendant that I always carry with me. I have a few disciples who I took in a while ago, but they are not from the Eumwol Sect. Two of them have shops in Jeoncheonseong, so if you need help, show them this. They will follow your orders.” Then, she told him their names. Han Li’s heart warmed at her concern and care, and he happily memorized their names.

* * *

One month later, Han Li was floating alone in the wilderness outside Jeoncheonseong.

He was silent as he looked at the huge city in the distance.

That day, he had a sad farewell with Nangong Wan and was silently flying towards Uguk. However, on the way, he received news that a large army of cultivators had officially started a major battle at the border between Pungwon and Uguk.

The result was a series of defeats for the main force of the National Salvation Alliance. After losing three times, they managed to secure only a few key points by borrowing the power of a powerful formation. The National Salvation Alliance was being pushed back.

Han Li felt uneasy after hearing the news, but no one knew the exact situation or the cause of the defeat. He had no choice but to come and see for himself.

Only after entering Uguk did he hear more specific news. The Moran mages had somehow obtained giant demonic beasts from the Manhwang era, and the National Salvation Alliance cultivators were being pushed back helplessly.

Alarmed, Han Li rushed day and night and finally arrived at Jeoncheonseong.

The current Jeoncheonseong had lifted the restriction prohibiting flight, but instead, it had reactivated the Sangwon Extinction Light Formation. The entire huge stone fortress was shimmering with strange spiritual energy waves.

It seemed that the cultivators of the National Salvation Alliance had entered a wartime system.

After quietly observing, he flew towards the city gate. The cultivators guarding the entrance were all at the Foundation Establishment stage, except for an old man at the Core Formation stage.

When he flew up with a dazzling light, the old man’s face changed.

“Welcome to the alliance. May I ask for your esteemed name? I am Wanbae, in charge here, and I need to confirm it,” the old man bowed respectfully to the cultivator who appeared after the blue light faded.

“Alliance? What do you mean?”

“Are you not here to join the alliance? Are you perhaps a hermit?”

“No. I am a cultivator from the Cheondo Alliance.”

“The Moran tribe’s momentum is fierce, and it has become difficult for our National Salvation Alliance to stop them alone. So, we have requested alliances from various forces. If you are a cultivator from the Cheondo Alliance, please tell us your name and sect, and you can enter the city.”

“Cheondo Alliance, Han Li.” Han Li’s gaze wavered as he gave his name. The situation seemed to be more complicated than he had imagined.

The old man, upon hearing Han Li’s name, thanked him repeatedly without even trying to verify it and politely guided him inside. Han Li simply nodded and calmly walked into the city.

Inside Jeoncheonseong, the atmosphere was very different from the time of the trade fair. Not only were there fewer cultivators, but everyone was walking around with worried faces.

It seemed that the news of the consecutive defeats in the early stages was spreading.

Han Li immediately headed to his residence. If Mo Paeryeong and Senior Ryeo had not left, he would not have moved his residence.

After a while, he felt a faint spiritual energy wave in front of the pavilion, which was Mo Paeryeong’s. Han Li smiled and silently released the restriction and entered.

“Young Master, you’ve finally returned!” Mo Paeryeong exclaimed happily as soon as she saw him.

“You didn’t return to the sect with Senior Ryeo, so how could I not come back?” Han Li muttered as if he was disappointed, then smiled at Mo Paeryeong.

“But I didn’t know you would overcome the bottleneck in your cultivation and reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Congratulations!”

“I barely overcame the bottleneck ten days ago. All of this is thanks to the elixirs you gave me, Young Master. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to make such progress in such a short time.” Mo Paeryeong was also happy, and her beautiful face became even brighter. Han Li rubbed his nose as he looked at her and said calmly.

“The reason you couldn’t leave with Senior Ryeo must be because of the invasion of the Moran mages?”

“You already knew. Elder Ryeo and I were planning to return to the Falling Cloud Sect as soon as the trade fair ended. But before the trade fair even ended, news came that the mages had invaded. As a Cheondo Alliance cultivator staying in Jeoncheonseong, Elder Ryeo had no choice but to come up with countermeasures with other forces. I stayed behind as well,” Mo Paeryeong spoke politely, her red lips moving.

“It’s not your fault, so don’t worry. But then Senior Ryeo is…” Han Li was about to ask something but suddenly stopped, his face looking strange. Mo Paeryeong looked at him, not knowing what was wrong, when a young man’s shout was heard from outside the pavilion’s restriction.

“Cultivator Mo, are you there! I am Baek Seogun. Please come down and show your face.”

“Who is it? Is it someone you’ve met recently?” Han Li scanned the outside with his consciousness and saw a dignified-looking Core Formation youth standing outside the restriction, calmly waiting for Mo Paeryeong’s reply.

# 404